A few days ago at Wal-Mart, I bumped into a friend in the deodorant aisle. I asked how he was doing and we soon began to discuss some of the challenges he was facing in the realm of family and relationships. I believe I identified with his burden, and I suddenly felt the urge to pray with him right there and then. It was a special moment, and it was prompted by the Holy Spirit.
I don't share this story to boast in my spirituality, but rather to encourage each of you to take bigger steps of faith and obedience even in the seemingly routine aspects of daily life. God has radically transformed us, and the new life he gives is meant to be shared; shared in communion with Christ and with one another. As we experience intimacy with God we grow in our confidence as his children, and his peace rules in our hearts. This will cause us to live in front of others without fear of judgment, failure, or shame.
Let us draw near to God daily, and let us encourage one another daily as well!
The author of Hebrews excellently describes how our relationship with God is the source of our powerful lives of faith and love:"Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." -Hebrews 10:19-25 (ESV)
Let us draw near to God daily, and let us encourage one another daily as well!